FPL accused of “bullying” Pinecrest Mayor

The debate over Florida Power & Light’s controversial plan to build eight-story-high power lines along U.S. 1 through Pinecrest and its surrounding neighborhoods is heating up. Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner – an outspoken opponent of the FPL plan — is accusing Florida State Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla and FPL of sponsoring a series of automated telephone attack adds against her, according to the Miami Herald.

“I am calling out FPL and Miguel Diaz de la Portilla,” Lerner said at a Pinecrest Village Council meeting on Tuesday. “They are acting as bullies.” However Senator Diaz de la Portilla did not return the Herald’s request for comment and FPL has denied any involvement in the robocalls.

The calls to Lener’s constituents claim that both the crime rate increase and property taxes increased since Lener became mayor. Diaz de la Portilla came under fire recently for supporting the unpopular FPL base rate hikes. [Miami Herald] — Christopher Cameron